Campaign on the final stretch

Greece hosted by Turkey in Euro 2008 qualifier tonight with four-point lead in Group C

Greece goes into tonight’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Turkey in Istanbul with a four-point lead over the neighboring group challenger and much of the work done for a place at next summer’s finals. But the squad, which needs a total of three points from its three remaining games to assure itself of a place among the finalists for an unprecedented second time in a row, is avoiding any rash statements.

“As long as we aren’t mathematically through to the finals, we can’t talk about that. We must perform consistently well in all our matches to qualify, because it is important for us to defend our title in the finals,” midfielder Giorgos Karagounis told UEFA’s official website in an interview. “We need to be very focused and avoid overconfidence.”

Greece follows tonight’s encounter at Istanbul’s Ali Sami Yen Stadium with a home game against bottom-placed Malta on November 17 and completes its campaign against Hungary in Budapest four days later.

Responding to a question on whether Greece will be able to weather the expected intensity at the Istanbul stadium tonight, Karagounis, in the UEFA.com interview, noted: “We’re an experienced side and have often played in adverse situations. Two years ago, we met Turkey in qualifying [for the 2006 World Cup in Germany]. We coped quite well in Istanbul, we were not intimidated and drew 0-0. What matters is our performance, not the atmosphere.”

Greece coach Ottto Rehhagel, in remarks to FIFA.com, said that “not qualifying for the World Cup in Germany has made us stronger.”

His team disintegrated for a 4-1 home defeat against Turkey earlier this year but has since recovered with just wins and a valuable draw against Norway in Oslo for an overall 7-1-1 record and a four-point lead in Group C. In contrast, Turkey has won just one of five games since that night last March, and, in its most recent outing, needed to rebound for a 1-1 away draw against Moldova, second-last in the group, last Saturday.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim, in comments ahead of tonight’s crucial game against Greece, suggested that his team was a better performer when under pressure. “Although Greece are ahead at the moment, we have decisive games against both the Greeks and Norway. Games we once called easy are not easy anymore. In fact, the hard matches come easier to us. I have confidence in my players,” said Terim.

Second-placed Turkey lies a slender point ahead of Norway. The pair meets in Oslo on November 17, when the second-to-last round of qualifiers are scheduled to take place. The group’s top two teams advance to the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.